Our Story
Ben and Miranda went to middle and high school together at Columbus Academy. They knew each other but didn't become friends until a 7th grade band trip to Chicago. After becoming friends and eventual best friends, they began dating the fall of their junior year in high school. Despite the distance in college, Ben and Miranda remained a dynamic duo and continued their relationship for four strong years. Luckily Denison University and The College of Wooster are only 1.5 hours apart, so seeing each other every once in a while wasn't a problem. At the beginning of his final year at college, Ben knew it was time to ask Miranda to get married and began his plans of purchasing and planning the engagement. So after 6.5 years of being together, here we are planning our wedding together and we couldn't be happier!
Miranda's Story
I am a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio and a devoted Buckeye fan (despite 4 championship losses in the past year). Throughout my childhood, I spent my time as a method mouse dancing in the Nutcracker and eating cheese; believing that my dad was turning me into a boy by encouraging fitness and hitting softballs in the backyard; and singing Disney and Broadway shows around the house. Eventually, I graduated from the Columbus Academy in 2003 and more recently I graduated from the College of Wooster in 2007. While at Wooster, I played field hockey, sang in the gospel choir, and was a member of the dance company. From August 26 - December 9, I completed my student teaching at the English International School of Padua in northeastern Italy. I taught adorable 5-6 year olds who insisted on putting an "A" at the end of each word, saying "rat-a, hat-a, cat-a, bat-a." After completing my student teaching, Gina (maid of honor), Ben, and I traveled around Europe for three weeks. We completed an unprecedented ten countries in three weeks, and although we loved our experience, we were glad to return to proper toilets and the American dollar.
I am currently living at home and working as a teacher's aide for the fourth grade and lacrosse coach at my high school alma mater. I love my job, and I am still anxiously awaiting the day where I see one of my sisters at school.
In my spare time I enjoy playing field hockey and Donkey Kong, eating ice cream, getting organized, and picking on my younger sisters.
Ben's Story
I grew up in Grove City, Ohio where I lived on Winnebago Street for 15 years. As a youngster, I enjoyed playing sports of all kinds, causing antics with big brother Dean, and having as much fun as possible. For 13 years, I went to school at The Columbus Academy (a true lifer) and graduated in 2003. After high school, I wanted to play collegiate basketball at Case Western University and soon realized that it wasn't the right school for me. After 2 weeks (yes 2 weeks), I transferred to Denison University (with big brother Dean) where I ended up playing varsity football for 3 years as a kicker, punter, cornerback, and wide receiver. It is proof that you never know what is going to happen in life. I earned a bachelor of science degree from Denison in May of 2007 in biology with a minor in chemistry. My best friends in life came from both Academy and Denison, and I am really lucky to have them as friends.
I am currently taking a year off before starting medical school next year at Virginia Tech (Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine) in Blacksburg, Virginia. During my year off, I am working as an MCAT preparation teacher (general chemistry) for The Princeton Review, and I coach both basketball and track teams at Academy.
I enjoy playing basketball, golf, homerun derby, football (any sport for that matter), harassing Miranda's sisters, riding on Razor scooters, being outside, listening to good music, ham, and chocolate pudding. I am also a professional wedding planner.
